Aerial treatments to disrupt the mating process of gypsy moth are scheduled this week in Marshall County.

Planes will treat sites in Indiana after treatments in Ohio are completed. The treatment date depends on weather and the completion of Ohio treatment sites.

Current scheduling indicates treatment may occur June 22, but that could change due to weather. Once determined, the date will be announced by news release, atgypsymoth.IN.gov and through the DNR gypsy moth Twitter account, twitter.com/INdnrinvasive. 

Detailed maps of treatment sites can be found at gypsymoth.IN.gov. 

The treatment typically starts in the early morning and continues until completed or stopped by weather. During treatments, people will see airplanes flying 75-125 feet above the treetops.

This year’s mating-disruption treatments will be an aerial application of a product called SPLAT GM-Organic.

SPLAT is a liquid that carries the scent of the female gypsy moth and falsely indicates an abundance of females in a treated area. The male moth recognizes the scent and looks for a mate in the wrong place. The males are unable to find a female, fail to mate, and no offspring are produced.

The application poses no health threat to people, pets, livestock or other animals. Promptly washing vehicles with soap and water will remove the product.

The mating-disruption technique has been used in other states and in Indiana since 1999. It has proven effective where there is a low-level infestation and female moths are difficult to find.

The gypsy moth, which now has a foothold in some counties in northern Indiana, was brought to this country from Europe in the 1860s. It is one of North America's most devastating invasive forest pests, capable of defoliating 3 million acres of forest a year, which is equivalent to 708 percent of Indiana’s forested acreage. Most trees in Indiana’s forests are susceptible to gypsy moth damage. The insect is a threat to wildlife habitat and the timber industry.

Gypsy moth larvae feed on many plants that are present in urban areas as well. 

For more information, call 1-866-NO-EXOTIC (663-9684) or call the local county extension office at 1-888-EXT-INFO (1-888-398-4636). 

To determine if your property is in the treatment areas and for more information about gypsy moth, see gypsymoth.IN.gov. 

To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.

 

Media contact:  Megan Abraham, Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology, 317-232-4189, mabraham@dnr.IN.gov